#Kilig : Filipino Romance Movies of the 2010’s

by: Heinrick Jhames N. Tiangco

Whether we deny it or not, Filipinos love romance movies. Maybe because most of us are hopeless romantics, we tend to put our frustrations in love through watching movies. Romance films allow us to celebrate love in different forms: from being heartbroken to falling in love again like it's the first time. Hoping that someday, we may have these fairy-tale-like stories or let these movies understand what we truly feel at the moment. 
Aside from giving the audiences the “feels”, our local romance films gave birth to the most iconic lines and relatable characters that we know and love. Here, we will list some of the popular Filipino romance movies that made us believe and fall in love again. 

It Takes a Man And A Woman (2013)

Stills from It Takes A Man and a Woman (2013), Star Cinema

“Trust? Big Word!”-- that would Laida Magtalas version 2.0 say. The braver, bolder, and fiercer version of the bubbly character played by Sarah Geronimo was featured in the last part of the Laida Magtalas and Miggy Montenegro film series. 

Taking place where the second movie left off, the third part of the trilogy took on a different way because of the parting of Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz’s characters. But because of a project that forced them to work together, the ex-lovers now have to face the pain of their break up and the possibility of them being back together. 

After “A Very Special Love” and “You Changed My Life”, the Cathy Garcia-Molina movie proved that third time the charm. Though there was a drastic change in Laida’s personality, the two still bring in the kilig and the chemistry they have given to the audiences in their past two movies. 

Love You to the Stars and Back (2017) 

                              

Stills from Love You to the Stars and Back (2017), Star Cinema 

In this Antoinette Jadaone movie, Julia Barretto plays the socially-awkward girl Mika, who goes on a trip for a very unusual quest: to get kidnapped by aliens. In the middle of her trip, Mika encounters Caloy (Joshua Garcia), a free-spirited guy who chooses to hop on Mika’s journey in finding aliens. Running away from their problems at home, they become the shoulders of each other’s pain. 

Just like Jadaone’s “That Thing Called Tadhana” (2014), the film centers on two strangers on a journey that takes them elsewhere. Being the cure of each other’s pain, the characters of Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia complimented each other in being perfect friends, and eventually, romantic partners. If you’re up for a film that would take you on a journey of finding love and healing from heartaches, this is suitable for you. 

Isa Pa With Feelings (2019)

Stills from Isa Pa with Feelings (2019) , Black Sheep

Who would’ve thought that Phenomenal Superstar Maine Mendoza would be put up in a more serious role? Well, in this Prime Cruz film, Maine takes on the role of Mara, an architecture student who is in the down stage of her life up until she meets her deaf neighbor Gali (Carlo Aquino) who helps her to heal from the pain. But, their blossoming relationship is put to the test as they step in each other’s worlds.  

It’s surprising that Maine Mendoza can pull off a character that is very far from her usual roles in comedy films and her personality in the noontime show “Eat Bulaga”. What made the film more interesting to watch is the two actor’s chemistry on screen, despite being the first time to be paired. The movie is also a must watch as we get to have a deeper understanding of people who are hearing impaired, in which they provide inaudible scenes that serves as Gali’s personal point of view.  

Diary ng Panget (2014)

        Stills from Diary ng Panget (2014), Viva Films 

This JaDine classic takes us back to our younger years. In the movie adaptation of the phenomenal Wattpad novel, Nadine Lustre plays Eya, the not-so-charming but overconfident heroine who takes the job as the personal maid of his schoolmate, Cross played by James Reid. Eya’s life will get a 360-degree spin as she will get entangled in a complicated love square between her, Cross, Lory (Yassi Pressman) who has a long-time crush on Cross, and Chad (Andre Paras) , the hopeful one who loves Lory. 

     We can all agree that we love romances in school setup, and the love-hate relationship between the main characters. The story may be cliche and formulaic, what made "Diary ng Panget" one of the memorable romantic comedies of recent years was the comedic skills of its main cast, who were at the height of their blossoming career at that time.

The Hows of Us (2018)

 

         Stills from The Hows of Us (2018), Star Cinema 

Before this movie was released, we were used to how the movies of the powerful tandem of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla work. An unexpected meet-up would lead them to cross the paths of each other’s lives and end up together. Well, in this movie, it still happens, but it ends up very, unusual. 

“The Hows of Us,” tells us the story of George and Primo, a young couple in a years-long relationship. The film narrated how they first met and how situations would lead to breaking up with each other. However, with their dream house on sale, they reminisce about their past and learn about the hows and whys of their break up by reuniting in their former love nest. 

The movie proved how one simple story of love and second chances can easily speak to the heart and resonate with them. It’s fair share of relatable lines about dreams, love, and trying to hold on in a relationship gets the audiences, hence becoming one of the highest-grossing Filipino films of all time. 

Alone/Together (2019)

             Stills from Alone/Together (2019), Black Sheep  

Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil become the ideal couple in Antoinette Jadaone’s film about dreams, love, and the reality of life. “Alone/Together” narrates the college life of Raf and Tin, respectively played by Liza and Enrique, the ideal couple of a perfect college life that everyone can dream of. Spending their time with each other’s company, they have to escape their little world to face the hard-hitting reality that strikes them, leaving each other behind. After several years, they will cross each other’s paths again, different from their young, idealistic version of themselves. 

Unlike their previous movies with Star Cinema, we saw a different side of Liza and Enrique in Alone/Together. Aside from their roles, the plot itself is not your typical boy-meets-girl story. It shows the reality of what life is: hard, merciless, and uncertain. Life may be cruel, but the importance of knowing yourself and standing by your principles is what makes you stand tall and firm amidst challenges.

I’m sure that there is a film that can cater to your feelings at the moment. Whether you feel happy, sad, kilig, heartbroken, or just needed something to release your emotions with, nothing beats watching your favorite romance film.  

You may stream the following films mentioned above in your favorite online streaming apps to relive the kilig and experience the feels all over again! Happy watching!